Arizona: No Violence, No Racism

I am dismayed at the blatant bias of the La Opinion editorial board.

The State of Arizona has borne the brunt of the illegal immigration invading this country, although California has been forced to shoulder a significant influx of similar, undetermined elements. Every individual who enters this country legally has the right to become a legal citizen.

Illegal immigration must be stopped, but not just for the well-being of this country. The unconscionable methods and means of immigration handlers from Mexico hauling unaware immigrants looking for a life new life should be enough for every voter to demand more security and protection along our Southern borders. How many men and women have been deceived, endangered, or killed by unscrupulous "coyotes" looking to make a quick buck off the sufferings of political and economic refugees from Latin America? This insidious practice must be stopped, but open borders with not police protection only enable this growing problem.

"Anti-immigrant militia groups" are not propagating a "wave of hate," as the La Opinion editorial board has asserted.  On the contrary, "pro legal-immigration" forces like the Minutemen not only scout the borders, but provided much needed, basic necessities for captured illegal immigrants before sending them back to their home countries.

The President of the United States, the liberal darling Barack Obama, has deported more illegal immigrants than all previous presidents from Eisenhower to President George W. Bush. Is the La Opinion editorial board also claiming, then, that the President, who commanded an impressive bloc of the Hispanic vote in 2008, is one more of the militants in league with the "racist, anti-immigrant" militias taking up the slack of the federal government? The President is doing his job in one part of his role as Commander-in-Chief of the United States. Unfortunately, he cannot access and positive press for his actions without endangering a much-needed cohort of voters.

If the La Opinion editorial board wants to demonstrate their caring for the cause for immigrants, they would demand reforms of the expensive and inefficient naturalization process in the United States. Furthermore, they would demand an end to the burgeoning welfare state, which is impoverishing everyone, immigrant and native-born citizen, while drawing foreign elements into this country who contribute very little. As for those illegal immigrants who have lived in the shadows for a number of years, the United States can offer a brokered amnesty of long-standing migrants who have lived in this country with good standing. For those individuals who have lived in this county for less than fifteen or twenty years, those individuals would receive a set period of times to get their affairs in order and leave the country. Governor Romney's proposal that illegal immigrants "self-deport" has actually been an ongoing reality during the Great Recession that has rocked this country. We should discourage illegal immigration as much as possible, therefore, while fully recognizing the natural rights  and innate humane dignity of all individuals.

Also, why not pressure the government of Mexico to institute liberalizing reforms, like an end to the corrupt plutocracy that controls the Mexican legislature. Decriminalizing drugs would permit the police powers in Mexico to focus primarily on maintaining peace and safeguarding prosperity in a nation which has endured nothing but one-party tyranny followed by ethnic strife and destabilizing centralized government.

On another note, President Calderon should spend more time defining and enforcing the civil rights of his people rather than castigating the United States' right and responsibility to protect  our own borders and our own citizens.